Column: Being good stewards of what God entrusts to us

Jill Coy

Monday

Dec 9, 2013 at 12:01 AMDec 9, 2013 at 1:05 PM

As a young child, I loved going to the bank. It was such a thrill when my sister and I were taken to the downtown branch of our local bank to open our very own savings accounts. I felt so grown up and important when we were each given a small green book that would help us keep track of the loads of money that I was convinced we would eventually have in the bank. After all, each of us had a 50-cent allowance to work with every week. Yes, every week! Over the years, as we tucked away some of our money from those allowances, we would go on exciting journeys to the bank to deposit it into our accounts. Those little green books accompanied us on every bank adventure. As I strutted into the bank like I thought I was a millionaire, the kind bank employee would stamp the date in our books, and then would write in the amount of our deposits, as well as our new balances. While I did not completely grasp the concept of terms like interest or dividends, I loved the fact that my fortune was growing. Travel with me to Nov. 7, 1999. My 7-year-old son, Rob, was riding to church with me on that Sunday morning, which happened to be my birthday. His financial goal, for a long time, had been to save $50 so he could take it to the bank and exchange his dollars and loose change for a fifty dollar bill. Rob had finally reached that goal during the previous week, and was so proud of his crisp $50 bill. As we turned into the church parking lot, Rob confided, “Dad had to borrow my $50 bill. He was low on money, and we wanted to get you a birthday present. Dad will pay me back on Wednesday when he gets paid.” I immediately felt the warm tears welling up in my eyes as I thought of my husband borrowing Rob’s money that he had saved for such a long time. However, my sadness turned to laughter as my young son continued, “I will give him a two-day grace period to pay me back. After Friday, it will be $5 more for each day.” It is no surprise that my son, years later, chose to pursue a college degree in economics. In our current world, most bank transactions can be completed online. And, I no longer carry the little green book. But, I still enjoy making trips to the local bank. While I am still not a millionaire, I try to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me. Perhaps the bank trips bring back precious memories of those simpler days when I was thrilled with a 50-cent weekly allowance, and eagerly anticipated those bank outings with my family and my treasured green bank book. In a similar way, we make deposits throughout each day. Those deposits may show up in the form of a listening ear, a warm smile, written or spoken expressions of sincere concern or an encouraging word at just the right moment. If we are even vaguely aware of these deposits, they may seem small to us. But, in God’s timing, He will use those transactions and will make the deposits grow. Just as I did not quite understand the concept of interest or dividends as a child, we cannot completely comprehend God’s system of banking. But, just as my son offered a grace period to his dad, God offers His grace to us. As we receive that grace, we begin to grow. 2 Peter 3:18 says it best: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” Cramerton resident Jill Coy writes a monthly column for The Gazette.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.